“Enough is enough!”

That was the sentiment of a frustrated Senator John Thune Tuesday as the federal government shutdown reached its 35^th day, tying the record for the longest shutdown, a record broken Wednesday.

We wholeheartedly agree, though not in the way Senator Thune would. He and other Republican leaders blame Democrats, and Democratic leaders blame Republicans. Frankly, we find it disturbing the way politicians use federal workers and American families as political pawns to score points among their leaders and party faithful.

With SNAP benefits initially canceled and now back in place but reduced, families are hurting. Around 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay, some required to work with no paycheck.  How many of us can go without pay for an entire month?

Many in Washington blame poor families for somehow profiting by the food stamps benefit, as if getting rich by lying around and doing nothing. It is sad that 42 million people in the richest nation on earth need federal assistance to feed their families, including 29,000 here in Wyoming, but the fact is, most simply need a boost and leave the program within weeks or months, and the assistance is so meager that nobody is getting rich on food stamps, just enough for a family to keep their head above water.

Are some people lazily gaming the system? Sure. Does the program have waste and abuse. Indeed. Most programs have some of that. But why punish and endanger those who truly need the assistance?

We advise any skeptics among our readership to pay a visit to the Lovell Food Pantry at the United Methodist Church on any Friday afternoon and try to walk in the shoes of those who come to the church to get a few cans of food and a couple packages of pasta to fill some empty stomachs for a few days. These folks aren’t gaming the system. They need a bit of help. Many are embarrassed to even show up, a far cry from the image of fat cats gleefully on the federal dole.

The United States is said to be a Christian nation. But do we act like it? Do we walk the walk as we talk the talk? Do we really want to feed the hungry – or scorn them and treat them like shysters.

Locally, there is some excellent work going on to help. There is, of course, the federal commodities program held monthly at the Lutheran Church on the third Thursday. And we already mentioned the Lovell Food Pantry.

The Red Apple Supermarket has a remarkable program in place right now in which customers can purchase pre-made meal kits in $10 or $20 increments simply by tacking onto your bill at checkout. The kits will be delivered to the food pantry. 

Customers can also place nonperishable items in the collection bins located in the store entryway or purchase a gift card to be given to the food pantry.

We know the good people of the Lovell area will generously give to the food pantry through the Red Apple or directly to the pantry without casting aspersions on families who need it.

If only Washington politicians would have the same heart.

— David Peck